I had three years before life returned to normal...

Three years ago in October I told myself these very words, "Sarah (I like to call myself by name - it feels more personal)you have three years to get through this and after that your life will return to what you know as normal!"

Yep...three years of starting over with the baby thing. Leaky boobs, sleepless nights, building arm muscles from toting a baby carrier then a toddler. Three years of rocking, soothing, feeding another person at the table, not talking to your friends at restaurants, buckling car seats, bathing, buying diapers. Three years of self-sacrifice! You can do this!

And I have!

Sister Girl is now 3! And I am patting myself on the back and taking a sigh of relief. It has been quite fun, challenging, exciting, dramatic and scary!

But now life is calming down. I have officially changed my last poopy diaper (from a child I birthed that is); no more feeding children (although you will still find me on occasion shoving food down Elizabeth's mouth); I can sit at a restaurant with friends and have a conversation (even if there will be an inch of chips crushed under our feet and a few staring customers); I can have wonderful conversations with all three of my children now (including "my left ear hurts!" - always a joy to know).

So to celebrate this milestone in the Callender household we allowed Sister Girl a real Princess birthday party. And thanks to my mom who swooped in on a work related trip to Nashville I had motivation to decorate over the top and plenty of extra party favors (you gotta love grandparents!).

And this is what happened...






Short and sweet - packed full of "preschool" games (Pin the crown on the Princess, Prince - Prince - Princess (duck, duck, goose), Pass the Glass slipper, and hide and go seek the missing royal items). All the little princesses had a wonderful time and Elizabeth only screamed at one child when she tried to take her present away after opening it.

Happy Birthday to my sweet Sister Girl! It has been quite a ride the last 3 years and I look forward to many more...